Airway Inflammation in Young Marijuana and Tobacco Smokers

• DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm.157.3.9701026
• Publication Date: 2013-04-04T17:33:32Z
• Authors: MICHAEL D. ROTH; ASHIM ARORA; SANFORD H. BARSKY; ERIC C. KLEERUP; MICHAEL SIMMONS; DONALD P. TASHKIN
• Keywords: Erythema; Chronic bronchitis

Forty healthy young subjects, ages 20 to 49 yr, underwent videobronchoscopy, mucosal biopsy, and bronchial lavage evaluate the airway inflammation produced by habitual smoking of marijuana and/or tobacco. Videotapes were graded in a blinded manner for central erythema, edema, secretions using modified visual bronchitis index. The index scores significantly higher smokers (MS), tobacco (TS), combined marijuana/tobacco (MTS), than nonsmokers (NS). As pathologic correlate, biopsies evaluated presence vascular hyperplasia, submucosal inflammatory cell infiltrates, goblet hyperplasia. Biopsies positive two these criteria 97% all three 72%. By contrast, none from NS exhibited greater one finding. Finally, as measure distal inflammation, neutrophil counts interleukin-8 (IL-8) concentrations determined fluid. percentage neutrophils correlated with IL-8 levels exceeded 20% 0 10 NS, 1 9 MS, 2 TS, 5 MTS. We conclude that regular adults is associated significant similar frequency, type, magnitude observed lungs smokers.